[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 61 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2457-S2458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 124--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM IS A VALUABLE PROGRAM THAT PROTECTS 
 AND ENHANCES THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMY OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Booker, 
Mr. Coons, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Brown, Ms. Hirono, Mr. 
Wyden, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Cassidy, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Franken, Mr. Leahy, 
Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Peters, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Nelson, Mr. 
Sanders, Mr. Markey, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Cantwell, and Mrs. 
Feinstein) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 124

       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program, established 
     in 1966, serves 31 States and 2 territories to strengthen the 
     health and stewardship of local, State, and national coastal 
     and marine resources;
       Whereas 42 percent of the United States population lives or 
     works in a coastal area, and coastal counties contribute over 
     $7,600,000,000,000 annually to the economy;
       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program is critical 
     in improving the health of coastal ecosystems, supporting 
     sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, building resilient 
     communities and economies, improving environmental literacy, 
     and developing the next generation of students in science and 
     technology;
       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program had an 
     economic impact of $575,000,000 in 2015 from a Federal 
     investment of $67,300,000, which is an 854-percent return on 
     investment;

[[Page S2458]]

       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program creates or 
     sustains more than 20,000 jobs and 2,900 businesses annually;
       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program has 
     supported 1,175 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellows in 
     Congress and throughout Federal agencies since 1979; and
       Whereas the National Sea Grant College Program has 
     supported thousands of undergraduate and graduate students at 
     institutions of higher education across the United States: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the 
     National Sea Grant College Program is--
       (1) of vital importance to improving the economy, health, 
     stewardship, and preparedness of the United States;
       (2) an exceptional example of effective partnerships 
     between Federal, State, and local governments; and
       (3) a valuable investment for the Federal Government.

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